Mexican Blue, Hawaiian Punch today

By Edri K. Aznar

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight champion Brian “Hawaiian” Viloria is set to defend his title against Mexican warrior Jesus “Azul” Iribe today in his turf at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After winning the IBF crown by knocking out long-time champion Ulises Solis in the 11th round of their world title tussle at the Araneta Coliseum last April, the 28-year-old Viloria will defend his title for the first time.

Following his loss to Edgar Sosa in 2007 for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title, Viloria has been on a romp and won his last six outings while Iribe is on a two-fight winning run.

Records

The two-time world champion has a respectable record of 25 victories and two losses with 15 knockouts, while Iribe holds a professional boxing slate of 15 wins, five defeats and five draws with nine knockouts.

In yesterday’s weigh-in, both fighters hit the target of the light flyweight limit as Viloria tipped the scales at 107.5 lbs. while Iribe was heavier at 108 lbs.

Two other Filipino warriors will be seeing action in the boxing extravaganza dubbed as “Island Assault.”

Cards

ALA star AJ “Bazooka” Banal (19-1-1, 16 KO’s) is slated to trade leathers with Mexican veteran journeyman Jose Angel “Pepe” Beranza (35-15-2, 25 KO’s), while Filpino fighter Dennis Laurente (31-3-5, 16 KO’s) faces Mexican combatant Zaid “El Exterminator” Zavaleta (18-5-2, 11 KO’s).

Although Beranza and Zavaleta have unimpressive records they aren’t pushovers as they have fought some respectable fighters in their careers.

Beranza has fought the likes of Nestor Rocha, former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez and defeated ex-world titleholder Iva Hernandez, while Zavaleta has fought Venezuelan knockout artist and WBC lightweight king Edwin Valero.

The boxing showdown will be beamed live via Dream Satellite at 10:30 a.m. while the delayed telecast will be shown at 3 p.m. on GMA-7 and Solar Sports.



Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 30, 2009.